The Riverside FANatic
By Alan Plummer

The rain threatened the third annual Riverside Prehangover 150, but held off just long enough for the
race.  Rain developed in the morning, but just before race time, the rain ceased.  It did however make the pits an icy mess, and slickened the track more.  Thirty seven cars started this year’s race, with twelve finishing, much better than last year when only three finished. I was surprised a few more people went with pickups this year. 

One hundred dollars went to the best themed car. There were many themes, from a car with Bud Light cans glued
to it, to a car with a keg, one with a satellite dish, and the winner, Paul Schartner III with a Christmas tree and presents.  Surprisingly the tree stayed there throughout the race. 

With only three laps in, one of the pickups that I thought would do well, driven by Joey Becker buried himself in
turn 4 infield.  The V8’s had the power, but couldn’t put it to the track.  They did a lot of dirt tracking with snow rooster tails flying everywhere. I am sure the flagman was about sick of getting hit with snow, as the flag stand got peppered with snow.  During one of the cautions, the driver of a car stuck in the back stretch infield unbuckled and tried to
reach out to clear the snow so he could restart, but it did him no good.  The dead cars scattered throughout the track
made for some interesting racing.     

The drivers came from all over New England, New York, Ohio, and North Carolina.  I was standing next to some people who came up with a driver from Massachusetts.  They said he came as a spectator last year, and liked it so much got a car for this year.  The drivers may have been from all over, but it was a regular Riverside driver Troy Randall taking the top spot followed by 2008 Riverside Late Model Rookie of the Year Paul Schartner III in 2nd,
and Oxford Maine’s Gerard Cote in 3rd.  Rounding out the top 5 were Matt Leblanc and
Ryan Delabrure.
   
If you missed the race, you missed a heck of a show.  Check my website for pictures, over 200 of the Prehangover online.  Mark your calendars for next year so you won’t miss it.  Riverside will return in 2009 with many personnel changes which I think will make an even better year.  See you then.  Pictures and archived FANatic articles can be seen at http://racing.apcomptech.com   If you have any questions or comments email me at riversidefanatic@apcomptech.com